We are thinking of the night of Jesus' betrayal, by Judas Iscariot.  What a terrible night of darkness that night was! Jesus had broken the news to His disciples: “Verily, verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray Me.  He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it ... He gave it to Judas Iscariot... then said, That thou doest do it quickly.  He then that received the sop went immediately out: and it was night” (John 13:21, 26-27, 30). Yes, this is a brief description of a night of gloom and despair. Have you considered what Judas left, when he went out that night? 

       

First, he left his friends. Dark it is indeed, for he who has no friends. We sometimes observe those who seem to be all alone. They have forfeited their friends for other things throughout their lives. These loners sometimes boast, “I need no friends. I can handle everything all by myself.” But the time will come when friends are very necessary to our well being.  All of us need true friends. 

       

Secondly, he lost all hope.  Hope is so essential to our physical and mental health. It is that which keeps us keeping on! It is the blessed hope that we possess. The Hebrew writer describes it as “an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast”“ (6:19). The individual who has no hope is, indeed, one to be pitied. There was no hope left for Judas, when he went out into the darkness of that night. 

       

Thirdly, and worst of all, he left his Savior. How utterly hopeless we are without Christ. As we read of Judas' action, we may ask, “How could he do it?”  I suggest to you that Judas did it the same way that kerring Christians have rejected Christ today. They simply turn their backs to Him, and feel that they no longer have any need for Him. Because of their love for the world, and the things of this world (I John 2:15-16), they long for these things more than they long for Christ. How sad it is, for those who once knew the Lord, and were faithfully serving Him, to turn again to the “beggarly elements of this world” (See 2 Peter 2:20-22). The divine record declares it would be better for that man, that he had never been born. Those who turn away from Christ, emulate the deeds of Judas. 

       

Finally, Judas committed suicide.  Like Judas, many commit spiritual suicide day by day. In despair, Judas went out and hung himself.  His vivid memory was that “he had betrayed innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4).  How many are now “crucifying the Son of God afresh,... putting Him to open shame”?  (Hebrews 6:6)  Do not go as far as Judas did, in destroying your last hope. Turn back to God, while time and opportunity are still yours. Repent, and pray God for forgiveness. He will Hear!!!

 

Louis J. Sharp